TYPE 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that can be a precursor to more serious health problems so it is imperative to keep the condition in check. Lowering blood sugar levels helps to stabilise the condition and a particular cooking oil (EVOO) has been shown to facilitate this process.

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TYPE 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that can be a precursor to more serious health problems so it is imperative to keep the condition in check. Lowering blood sugar levels helps to stabilise the condition and a particular cooking oil has been shown to facilitate this process.

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. This hormone has a moderating effect on blood sugar, a type of sugar you absorb through eating food. Left to its own devices, blood sugar will increase in the bloodstream, a process that can seriously damage your heart, your eyes, your feet and your kidneys.

You must look to your lifestyle to compensate for this faulty mechanism.

This is where eating a healthy diet becomes doubly important because certain items have been shown to lower blood sugar levels.

One such item is extra virgin olive oil, a staple of the Mediterranean diet.

Research has found that olive oil reduces blood sugar and cholesterol more than other kinds of fats.

Like type 2 diabetes, cholesterol is a fatty substance that can lead to heart problems.

The small study, conducted at Sapienza University in Romen, monitored 25 participants, all of whom ate a typical Mediterranean lunch – consisting primarily of fruits, vegetables, grains and fish – on two separate occasions.

For the first meal, they added 10g of extra virgin olive oil. For the second, they added 10g of corn oil.

After each meal, the participants blood glucose levels were tested. The rise in blood sugar levels was much smaller after the meal with extra virgin olive oil than after the meal with corn oil.

The findings were consistent with previous studies, which have linked extra virgin olive oil to higher levels of insulin, making it beneficial to people with type 2 diabetes.

Commenting on the findings, Francesco Violo, lead author of the study, said: “Lowering blood glucose and cholesterol may be useful to reduce the negative effects of glucose and cholesterol on the cardiovascular system."

While the results are encouraging, the researchers stress that extra virgin olive oil should be consumed as part of an overall healthy diet to reap the benefits.

Why is following a Mediterranean-style diet such a safe bet for blood sugar management?

As Diabetes.co.uk explains, Mediterranean diets are rich in fruit, vegetables and fibre can help people with diabetes to control their blood sugar levels.

A traditional Mediterranean diet mainly consists of:

Oily fish

Poultry

Fresh fruit and vegetables

Legumes

Fresh bread

Pasta

Olive oil

The diet is also relatively low in carb, a feature that is key to controlling blood sugar levels.

Carbohydrate is broken down into glucose relatively quickly and therefore has a more pronounced effect on blood sugar levels than either fat or protein.

It is therefore imperative to shun high-carb foods for low-carb equivalents.

A handy way to distinguish between the two is to follow the glycemic index (GI).

The Glycemic Index (GI) is a relative ranking of carbohydrate in foods according to how they affect blood glucose levels.

Type 2 diabetes - what are the warning signs?

As the NHS explains, many people have type 2 diabetes without realising because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.

Hunter Nelson is no stranger to entrepreneurialism as he started his first company at age eight. Today, seven years later as a seasoned businessperson, Nelson has opened his newest company, Lobster Taxi, an online overnight shipper of live Maine lobster throughout United States and Canada.

A West Coast-native, Nelson longed for his “Maine lobster experience” after he returned home from summers in Maine. Sure that others felt the same way - as Maine lobsters seem to have this effect - Nelson turned his passion for the product into reality through Lobster Taxi.

"When buying Maine lobsters at the supermarket anywhere outside of Maine, you do not know how long the lobster has been outside of their natural habitat,” said Nelson. "The difference in taste between Supermarket lobster and Lobster Taxi’s is enormous. If someone has never had Lobster from Maine, they may not ever find out how good they really are."

Lobster Taxi also offers amazing Maine Steamer Clams and Mussels, and local dessert favorites like Whoopie Pies, all available online at LobsterTaxi.com .

This year, Road Trippin' is visiting three of the FIORE Artisan Olive Oils and Vinegars shops. This is our second stop with FIORE owner Pat O'Brien in our Bar Harbor shop at 8 Rodick Place.

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https://www.fioreoliveoils.com/blogs/fiore-news/41156673-good-day-cafe-fiore2015-08-19T09:03:00-04:002015-08-26T15:52:39-04:00Good Day Cafe: FIOREJane Birckhead
PORTLAND (WPFO) -- Pat and Nancy O’Brien from FIORE stopped by the Good Day Cafe to show off their olive oils.

Food and cooking program featuring FIORE oils and vinegars, to be hosted by Kerry Altiero, owner/chef at Café Miranda and Miranda Catering in Rockland, and Lani Stiles, owner/chef at Megunticook Market and Catering in Camden.

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https://www.fioreoliveoils.com/blogs/fiore-news/17163465-vibrant-small-businesses-share-tips-experiences2015-02-20T13:54:00-05:002015-04-20T07:55:32-04:00Vibrant small businesses share tips, experiencesNancy O'Brien
Ya gotta love it! That seems to be one of the main criteria for starting a small business and making it a success. It also was the sentiment of the folks reflecting on what it has taken them to build four vibrant businesses at the close of 2014.

With no background in retail or running a business, Nancy O’Brien opened Fiore, a shop specializing in artisan olive oils and balsamic vinegars, in downtown Bar Harbor in 2009. Now, six years later, the business is going great and O’Brien has five other stores in Maine.

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Ya gotta love it! That seems to be one of the main criteria for starting a small business and making it a success. It also was the sentiment of the folks reflecting on what it has taken them to build four vibrant businesses at the close of 2014.

With no background in retail or running a business, Nancy O’Brien opened Fiore, a shop specializing in artisan olive oils and balsamic vinegars, in downtown Bar Harbor in 2009. Now, six years later, the business is going great and O’Brien has five other stores in Maine.

She and her husband, Pat, were living and working in Connecticut when they happened to meet an importer of olive oils and vinegars.

“We tasted some of the products and were amazed by them,” Nancy said. “They talked about the concept of having people taste before they buy.”

The couple loved vacationing on Mount Desert Island and, in 2006, they bought a small cottage on the island.

“The idea of having a tasting room kept coming back to us, and we thought Bar Harbor would be an amazing place to do it,” Nancy said.

When she opened Fiore, she was the sole employee. Her husband left his job 18 months later and became her “marketing guru.”

Nancy said they’ve gotten great advice from their local banker and the Small Business Administration (SBA).

In 2013, the SBA named Fiore its Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year in Maine.

Nancy said a big reason for Fiore’s success is the product.

“It sells itself,” she said. “Our olive oils come from all over the world. Anywhere they are crushing olives and making olive oil, we’re bringing it in, as fresh as we can get it.

“All of our balsamics are from Modena, Italy, which is the center of the universe when it comes to balsamics.'

Nancy’s advice for anyone thinking about starting a business is “go with your gut, do your research and find the right people to help you.”

Six years ago, Nancy O’Brien and her husband, Pat, were trying to figure out how to spend more time in Maine. The couple, who had been living in Connecticut, had a home in Bass Harbor, and wanted to become year-round residents of the Pine Tree State. “We came to Bass Harbor as often as we could, and every time we had to leave we cried,” O’Brien says. - Read more at Bangor Metro

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FIORE Artisan Olive Oils & Vinegars, the recognized leader in Extra Virgin Olive Oils in the region is thrilled to announce the arrival of the full complement of the recently harvested Mediterranean Extra Virgin Olive Oils.

“We have a great selection from this year’s harvest in the Mediterranean. We’ll offer two varietals from the Galantino Estate in Puglia, one each from the Melgarejo and the Oro Bailen estates in the Andalusia region of Spain, and three Portuguese oils from the PAÇO DO CONDE estate; two single varietals and a fantastic tri crush cuvee produced specially by the miller from three select olive varieties,” says Pat O’Brien, Director of Marketing. “We also selected two Californian EVOO’s to round out the range for this season.”

“All of our EVOO’s are crushed within 6 hours of the harvest, and that resultant Free Fatty Acids are below .03%, in addition to meeting or exceeding other biochemical thresholds plus zero flavor defects and a balance of Fruitiness, Bitterness and Pungency as determined by a certified sensory panel.” “Freshness is key to realizing the benefits of extra virgin olive oil in our diet”, Says Nancy O’Brien, owner and Founder. “We pride ourselves in presenting the freshest extra virgin olive oils available all year round.” “Two of the Mediterranean selections we made were of small batch production and are some of the best from the harvest. Come taste them while they last”.

Our Southern Hemisphere oils from Chile, South Africa, and Peru will be available for approximately another six weeks in any of our locations as well as online.

FIORE now has four locations in Maine; Bar Harbor, Rockland, Freeport and Lewiston.

FIORE Artisan Olive Oils & Vinegars ”Come In And Taste For Yourself!”

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https://www.fioreoliveoils.com/blogs/fiore-news/8090279-nancy-obrien-receives-sba-award2013-06-12T16:43:44-04:002013-09-20T16:07:53-04:00Nancy O'Brien Receives SBA AwardLinda SpeightNancy O’Brien and FIORE were honored at the SBA celebration luncheon on June 4, 2013 at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor.

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Starting in 2009 as a retail store for specialty olive oils and vinegars in Bar Harbor, Fiore quickly added a second location in Rockland. The company’s name, “Fiore” means “blossoming flower” in Italian, and underscores the essence of this new venture. The company has benefited from an SBA guaranteed loan through Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, which nominated Fiore for this award.

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https://www.fioreoliveoils.com/blogs/fiore-news/7762699-fiore-llc-receives-woman-owned-small-business-of-the-year-award2013-04-25T11:10:40-04:002014-01-09T08:34:45-05:00FIORE, LLC Receives Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year AwardChris CrockettAugusta Maine — Today, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the winner of its annual Woman-Owned Small Business Award for 2013. Nancy O’Brien, owner of Fiore, LLC has been selected to receive this prestigious award for Maine.

Nancy O’Brien, owner of Fiore, LLC has been selected to receive this prestigious award for Maine.

Augusta Maine — Today, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the winner of its annual Woman-Owned Small Business Award for 2013. Nancy O’Brien, owner of Fiore, LLC has been selected to receive this prestigious award for Maine.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and recognizing those who work so hard to achieve success is truly an honor,” said Marilyn Geroux, SBA District Director for Maine. “It is a particular privilege to present this award to Fiore because of its innovation, creativity and impressive sales growth, “ added Geroux.

Starting in 2009 as a retail store for specialty olive oils and vinegars in Bar Harbor, Fiore quickly added a second location in Rockland. The company’s name, “Fiore” means “blossoming flower” in Italian, and underscores the essence of this new venture. The company has benefitted from an SBA guaranteed loan through Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, which nominated Fiore for this award.

Nancy O’Brien and Fiore will be honored at an SBA celebration luncheon on June 4, 2013 at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953, and assists our nation’s small businesses in creating jobs, preserving free competitive enterprise, and strengthening the overall economy of our nation.

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https://www.fioreoliveoils.com/blogs/fiore-news/7783989-pat-obrien-featured-on-wvii-news2013-04-10T00:00:00-04:002014-01-09T08:36:15-05:00Pat O'Brien Featured on WVII News!Linda Speight
Bar Harbor has been enjoying a robust cruise ship season. Brittany Devane of WVII, our ABC affiliate visited the town and interviewed several people, including our own Pat O'Brien!